The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-03-24
THEECCLESIlSTICAL BILL.
PRINCE BISMARCK MAKES A
LONG SPEECH
In Defense OF the Measure-Ealser
wilhelm the Recipient OF Ad-
ditlOnal HenOrs.
1T Is THE INTENTION OF GER.
MANY AND RUSSIA
To Restore the Former Relations
Between the Three EmperOrs-
Bulgaria and Russia.

BERLIN, March 23-The 0berhsus
today, in plsnary session, began the
, discussion of the ecclesiastical bill.
Prince Bismarck made long speech
in defense of the measure. He said
that as regarded the question OF re-
ligious orders, the chief poini 10 be
determined was whether Catholic citi-
zsns needed the orders. 1t was GER
tain that Catholics believed In the
value OF the orders, and their senti-
ments should be satisfied in harmony
with the legislation OF the country.
The State naturally had an interest in
the good training Of priests. Such
training they could acquire as well
at seminaries as at universities. The
bitterest enemies OF the government
came from universities, not from sem
inaries. Referring 10 the law requir-
ing ecc esiasLics to give notice TO the
State OF appointments, Prince Bis
marck declared that he had not at
tached special importance to this pro-
vision, especially in view Of his ex-
perience that ecclesisstics who for
years had exercised their fame.
tions under the very eyes OF
the government, changed their
disposition SO soon as they became
Bishops. The government bad not
made too large concessions to the
Catholics, nor had it given up any Of
its sovereign rights. He had never
desired a lasting struggle with the
Curia. AS early as 1876 he had called
Cardinal Antonelli's attention to the
danger presented by the formation OF
a special Catholic political party, and
every since the Curia had manifested
q peaceful disposition. He had pre-
pared programme Of peace, to real
lie which he had now worked Tor ten
years. Through the proposals before
the House, he hoped to obtain last
ing peace. II that expectation should
not be fulfilled, the measures now
proposed could easily be re cinded. 1t
was necessary that the Center party,
which entered into relations with all
the elements that were hostile to the
Slate and Empire, be deprived tf all
pretext for opposition. II was out of
regard for the unity OF thu nation and
because of the dangers threatening
that unity that no initiated the pres.
ent ecclesiastical bill, doing so With a
full recognition OF his responsibility.
Whether or not the bill would
lead to tho establishment OF
religious peace could not yet be
known, as the leaders OF the Center
had placed themselves in opposition
to the Pope. No less dangerous than
the Pfogressists were the aubversive
tendencies of the lower clergy, in
whose removal the Pope and the EN-
peror have an equal interest. II the
Pope and the Emperor were alone the
opposition OF Windthorst aud the
Ger ter, 1t would have no further Gig
ni6cance. In conclusion, he urged
the whole House TO edopt the bill, with
the commissions amendment. Minis.
ter Won Gossler then spoke, after
which the House adjourned. The
Official Gazette today publishes an i'm
perisl rescript. The Emperor, after
expressing his heartfelt appreciation
OF the sympathetic interest shown by
the people on his birthday, proceeds:
ain my early youth saw the mon
srchy Of my deeply afflicted father
under a dire visitation that affected
the endurance CT the people. l have
since seen how the devoted loyalty,
eager self sacrifice and undaunted
courage Of my people brought deliver.
ance and elevation. And now, in my
old age, after the many vicissitudes
of my life, / look with
pride and satisfaction upon the
great transformation which the
glorious events OF the recent past, the
impershable feeling Of German unity
and the SINCERE love of the Fatherland
lave effected IN Germany. May the
contamination achieved after long
yearning by our beloved country
conduce-as confidently hope 1t will
to every increasing prosperity, all
classes OF the nation living undis-
turbed blessed labors Of peace" The
church of Mary Magdalene, at Bres'
lau, has been partly destroyed by
fire. One tower has fallen. The
flames were arrested before the in.
terror had been gutted. Prince b g.
mMck hiss donated 100000 marks to
the corporation OF Osnslsbruck Tor the
formation of u museum. The Regent
OF Bavaria has remit ted portion OF
OF the sentence Of imprisonment pro-
nounced upon the socialists Vreerck
and Volmar last summer, Both OF
the prisoners are in bad health aud it
is on this account that clemenoy has
been shown them. They will be lib
Grated at the end of the present
month, The Bundesrath has rejected
the resolutions adopted by the Reich
stag in favor of compromising persons
proved to be innocent after convic-